Discover Long Reef

Welcome to the Long Reef Aquatic Reserve and Wildlife Protected Area. It is valued for it’s variety of protected marine plants and animals. The Greenlink Walk around the headland provides superb coastal views and takes you through the newly declared Wildlife Protected Area. Please look through this website and enjoy the spirit of Long Reef.

Unique Marine life

The Long Reef marine life is unique due to its exposure to all four points of the compass. It includes two main rocky shores. The northern rocky reef area is protected from southerly swells by the prominent eastern headland, whilst the larger eastern platform is more exposed.

It has a wide variety of habitats, including sheltered boulder fields and surf-exposed ledges. Marine organisms found here have adapted to deal with large amounts of exposure to sun and little exposure to water.

The intertidal region is the area above the low tide mark. In this area there are a variety of organisms that are able to withstand immersion in water during high tide and in rock pools as well as exposure to the air, extreme temperatures and saline conditions during low tide.

The Aquatic Reserve is a No Collecting area.

With the exception of fin-fish, you cannot collect or harm any marine plants
or animals.

Scientific evidence has shown that the removal of marine invertebrates for food or to use as bait can threaten the ecology of rock platforms. The removal of any animal can limit the long term viability of breeding populations and can impact on the future of that species. The collection of empty shells and dead plants or animals is also prohibited because they provide important habitat or food for living invertebrates.

The penalties for breaking the rules are quite severe. Fisheries Management legislation provides for fines up to $110,000 and on-the-spot fines also apply.

Fin-fish can be taken by line or spear only but you must bring your own bait. Remember that strict bag limits apply to both the numbers and sizes of fish that you catch.

Dogs on a leash are only allowed on the designated Greenlink walkway on Long Reef Headland. Dogs are prohibited from all other areas including the beaches and Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.